More about: PrinceMy Bloody ValentineThe LibertinesNew OrderDavid BowieThe StrokesBlurDr DrePortisheadKate Bush

In order to commemorate one of the best known and most legendary comebacks of all time over the Easter weekend all those years ago, we got to thinking about the art of resurrection.

As such, we put together this list of ten brilliant comeback records. Some of these resurrections follow break-ups, loss or hiatus - and they're all excellent.

The album: Blur - The Magic Whip (2015)

The Context: blur’s eighth studio album was recorded In Hong Hong and London, released 12 years after Think Tank. The Magic Whip was Blur back with a bang, combining more modern indie pop with their traditional sound. They incorporate Chinese language and symbolism throughout the record and followed this album up with some massive dates at Hyde Park and the Isle of Wight Festival.
Key track: 'Go Out'

The album: David Bowie - The Next Day (2013)

 The Context: This record was recorded and produced in total secrecy in the underbelly of New York. Bowie worked with a number of long term collaborators on this project, including Tony Visconti, Earl Slick and Gail Ann Dorsey to produce an album that dropped with no press, no tour and no advertising campaign. The album is a real return to Bowie at his best: brilliant art-rock and fantastically intriguing lyrics. Prime. Bowie.
Key Track: 'Valentine’s Day'

The Album: My Bloody Valentine - MBV (2013)

The Context: Recording for the third MBV album is shrouded in mystery. Supposedly several albums worth of tracks had been recorded, produced and then shelved before the band split in 1997. The MBV sessions began in 1996, but this was again shelved until 2006, when minor details were added. MBV was picked up again in 2011 when the project was finally completed. The album drew a brilliant critical response and is MBV at their very best.
Key Track: 'if i am'

The Album: Dr. Dre - Compton (2015)

The Context: Dre’s third album Compton is the follow-up to 1999’s era-defining 2001. The album was born out of the production for NWA biopic Straight Outta Compton and saw Dre collaborate with a number of high-profile producers and artist contributions from Snoop, Kendrick, Anderson .Paak, Eminem and countless others. The album is vintage Dre and soundtracked the biopic perfectly.
Key Track: 'Darkside / Gone'

The Album: Prince - Musicology (2004)

The Context: recorded across the late nineties and up into early 2004, this project is Prince 28th studio album; his first in ten years. Musicology was one of Prince's most successful projects, the R&B influences combined with Prince’s classic rock roots was an instant hit amongst fans and critics alike. He picked up a number of Grammy awards for the album and launched a huge tour thereafter.
Key Track: 'Cinnamon Girl'

The album: Portishead - Third

The Context: Third was Portishead’s first release in over a decade, following producer and multi-instrumentalist Geoff Barrow’s hiatus from the group. The album deviates from Portishead’s more traditional trip-hop sound into a more Beach Boys surf rock/krautrock direction. The members swapped roles, playing each others instruments in a bid to diversify their sound - it was a total success and the album garnered a great critical response as well as becoming a fan-favourite.
Key Track: 'Machine Gun'

The Album: Kate Bush - Aerial (2005)

The Context: Aerial was Kate Bush’s first release since The Red Shoes, a 12 year gap. Aerial was born after Bush took an extended break from the industry to raise her children and live a life away from the spotlight. The media and fan frenzy in the lead up to this album was immense and  anticipation was palpable: the album lived up to the hype and absolutely delivered on its expectations. A double album exploring themes of motherhood, nature and with a second disc that consisted of one continuous piece, Aerial is an utterly brilliant album and some of Kate Bush’s finest work.
Key Track: 'King of The Mountain'

The Album: The Strokes - The New Abnormal (2020)

The Context: The New Abnormal is The Strokes’ follow up to Comedown Machine, which is widely regarded as the weakest album in the band's discography. As such, some fans had little hope for 2020's return. Writing and recording sessions for The New Abnormal began as early as 2016, off the back of the Future Present Past EP. Most of the members were splintered in various side-projects and solo records, so when they finally came together to release The New Abnormal, they got quite the reception. The album combines the influences that The Strokes draw on throughout their career and is one of their best since their debut.
Key track: 'Brooklyn Bridge to Chorus'

The Album: The Libertines - Anthems For Doomed Youth (2015)

The Context: The follow-up to The Libertines raucous and chaotic first albums was long in the making. The fractious, on-again-off-again relationship between head songwriters Pete Doherty and Carl Barat seemed to have healed and the band set about recording Anthems For Doomed Youth. The album itself is strong and the tracks rank among some of the band’s best. They topped it off with a week of shows and events centring around Camden’s Dublin Castle.
Key track: 'You’re My Waterloo'

The Album: New Order - Movement (1981)

The Context: One of the more tragic comebacks is that of New Order, who reformed as a new outfit following the loss of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis. Movement and the birth of New Order is a key moment of progression for the remaining members of Joy Division; you can really hear them transitioning from the post-punk darkness of their first band, echoed in the electronica, synth-pop stylings that New Order would continue to create for decades. The album wasn’t lauded upon release, but the 20:20 vision of hindsight shows how good an album this really is.
Key Track: 'Doubts Even Here'

More about: PrinceMy Bloody ValentineThe LibertinesNew OrderDavid BowieThe StrokesBlurDr DrePortisheadKate Bush